New Security Rules - In Particular Cameras

I was on Facebook and there was a link from mgoblue about some of the new security rules. One of them is that small cameras are permitted as long as they don't have detachable lenses. Is there something special about cameras with detachable lenses that I don't know about? I will admit that if I take my 500mm lens, it might be distracting to people around me but my 300mm lens is pretty small. What's even funnier is that I can get a small camera without a detachable lens that gives me an equivalent to my big lens. Are they afraid that someone may be selling pictures from the game and they aren't getting a taste of that money? There are two holes ot that theory...trademark infringement and the official pictures are far nicer than anything from the stands.

anyways, I guess this means that if I do go, I'll have to borrow my former non-SLR camera from my mom.

I think they just don't want big honking lenses that can block other people's views, so they just say "no detachable lenses" because they are not going to have the volunteer staff play a guessing game about size.

That said, for the same reason, I think you can easily get away with a small, detachable lens.

I can live with that answer and I can appreciate that answer as I realize my 500mm lens is probably not the best for people around me. The 300mm lens isn't too bad and doesn't stick out too far. So if I do end up going to a game, I'll try that.

What a joke. There is no plausible argument that a large camera lens is a security risk. As for view, someone who is 6-6 and 320 pounds and wearing a beret-style Go Blue hat is going to obstruct a lot more view than someone of average proportions with a large camera lens. Whenever the university makes a "security" decision, it always seems to be about the money. I'm guessing he doesn't want people to get quality pictures without paying some kind of premium.

If it is the money they are worried about, I don't understand what they are worried about. I mean if I go sell my pictures from last year, I would be in violation of trademarks and they could go after me for that. As much as I like the pictures I took last year, I think the pictures that people get from the sidelines are much much better. But whatever....I've got a backup option but I don't really like that camera as much. Or I go the smaller lens route and see what happens. If they say no, they say no....

I took my canon with a 300 mm lens with me to a game 2 years ago and the security rule was there then and no one said a word.. I did go early just in case.. But nothing, I made sure it was not in a bag or case and they didn't say a word.. Took some cool pics while sitting down and didn't bother anyone...
Note though that the rule was there for a while.. It's not new..

I never noticed it before. If it's been there before, then I guess I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. I'm a little sensitive after getting harassed at Ford Field during one of the recent seasons that I don't remember the Lions record.

I did the same with my 250mm lens last year. Wore cargo shorts and put the lens in one of the bigger pockets. No one said anything, from ticket takers to security to ushers to fans. The camera body was in plain sight hanging from a big neckstrap with "Canon" all over it.

I just purchased a 50-250mm lens for my Canon Rebel camera in hopes of bringing it to my first game at the Big House. What do you think the chances are that they let me in with it? I could always bring my Sigma lens that's way smaller, but the 50-250mm lens is not big at all.

What's my best option? I was really hoping to take some good quality pictures to remember my first game at the Big House. It's a pretty huge deal for me, as I'm sure everyone else's first game was a huge deal for them.

tbh... unless you're lugging around a 300 mm f2.8, taking pictures from the stands isn't really worth it. Now.. taking pictures of the stadium with a wideangle lens is a different story... and those lenses are small enough that they shouldn't create any issues.

Someone we sit with had his DSLR with him on Saturday and got rather rudely turned away from the gate as a result. Luckily our car wasn't too far away, so he could go stash it for the game, but it was still a hassle. And completely stupid.

Michigan Stadium doesn't really need to be a police state. Every year it's something new.